Author's Note: Hello! This story has been sitting in my computer for a long time, since 2014! I just could never get the flow right and the general events were really bad. Luckily with the time difference and help from a great friend, she helped me make the story flow like a river. I am re writing huge pieces of the story to better fit the narrative that I have! I hope you all enjoy this Fruits Basket AU.
But seriously thank you to my friend for helping me with this story and letting me use pieces that she took the time to re write to help with the flow.
I'm in a long dark hallway, doors line the hallway on either side, in front of me a staircase leads down to a square of light. I knew what would be waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs and I was too scared to face it. I went and tried a few of the door knobs, but I knew they would all be locked. I studied the walls noting the stain that looked like an eye on the wall to the left of the stairs.
I have had this nightmare so many times that it no longer scares me so long as I was upstairs. I knew there was nothing up here in the darkness with me - it's the light that scares me in this dream. I can't even force myself to wake up.
After I waited for a while, I went back to the stairs and stared down at the square of light at the bottom of the stairs. I take a deep breath and start my descent. The small square of light slowly gets bigger and more blinding as I descend the stairs. I closed my eyes as I took the last step into the room. I could hear someone moaning in pain and I finally opened my eyes. I was in a brightly lit room with a door on the opposite wall - my ticket out of here. I chanced a glance to my right to see a crumpled bloodied version of myself on the floor.
"Help... help me... please," she pleads softly while curling into a ball. I said nothing, just covered my ears with my hands and started running towards the door. A sense of pity towards the other me is the cause of my abrupt halt in front of the door. Against my better judgement with the hope of a different outcome, I ran to her and knelt beside her.
"Don't worry! I can help you," I say reaching out to touch her reassuringly. I shrieked when she lunged at me and began clawing my face with her nails.
"WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?" her scream was filled with rage and sadness. I managed to free myself from her attack and, stumbling, ran to the door. I desperately grasped the knob and pushed the door open - I didn't hesitate to run through.
I sit bolt upright in my sleeping bag, drenched in a cold sweat with my heart pounding and my breathing erratic. The sound of my doppelganger's scream echoes in my mind. It took me a few minutes to calm down from the nightmare. I slipped out of my sleeping bag and crawled to the opening of my tent, unzipping the zipper. I felt a cool night breeze against my face. I start to feel clammy as the sweat dries on my skin. The light of dawn was brightening the sky and knowing I couldn't get back to sleep, decided to wash up and get ready for school. I took my time getting dressed noting the time on my wrist watch. They open the gates an hour before school starts and I got there just when the principal was undoing the lock. My heart started pounding, I was not expecting to see the principal here. He always makes me nervous.
"Hello Miss. Ito, how are you doing today? You're here mighty early," he asked with a smile. I gave a nervous smile telling myself to calm down, it's just friendly conversation.
"Good morning Principal, sir, I just thought I could come early to study a bit before class starts," I replied as the gate opened and I stepped through. The principal kept pace with me as I started heading towards the school building.
"I wanted to ask how you and Miss Honda are doing, you know after the terrible accident last month. I want to check up on you two and as always if there is any way we can help, let me or a teacher know," I felt that same pang in my chest whenever someone spoke of the accident that killed both my and Tohru's mothers. I forced a smile and assured him that Tohru and I were doing fine. I've gotten good at pretending that everything is fine, outsiders fall for it every time.
"That's good to hear, you can talk to us anytime if you feel like you need to. It's not good to keep these feelings bottled up," the Principal held the front door open for me and gestured for me to go in first, I hesitantly walked past him.
"Thank you Principal, sir, I'll take that into consideration. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to study before more students arrive." I thanked him and hurried off down the hall.
I've heard rumors about the principal from other female students. Some say that he would touch them inappropriately. Others told their parents what was going on and they brought it up with the school. There was never any evidence and the principal talked his way out of trouble.
When I turned the corner into my class's hallway I slowed down to a walk.
I'm starting to believe those rumors have more truth to them than I first thought.
Ever since our mother's accident, the principal has gone out of his way to talk to me more. I've asked Tohru about it and not once has he talked to her other than the time he called both of us to his office to ask if there was anything the school could do to help.
I halted in front of my classroom door and slid it open. I walked to my desk and set my things down.
There is definitely something not right going on with him.
I took out the assignment that's due today and looked through it ensuring I did it right. I noticed a few of the word problems for math were done wrong and fixed the mistakes.
Once I was satisfied that it was perfect, I pulled out the materials for today's lesson and started reading through it. I had just started when I heard footsteps entering the building.
There goes my peace and quiet.
I sigh and continue reading the material while blocking out the chatter from the students. Most is mindless gossip about what this person or that person was wearing, or what celebrities were up to. I cover my ears with my hands as the sounds get louder. After a few minutes I give up trying to read and shut my workbook with a sigh
This is going to be a hard day.
I can feel a headache starting in my temple and I rub it trying to ease the pain as the door to the classroom opens. I look up to see Tohru Honda in the doorway.
She looks a little surprised to see me. "Oh, Liisa! I didn't think you would be here so early," she walked over and took her seat next to mine.
"Well, I woke up and thought I could come early to use the quietness to review my homework. I'm glad I did because I caught some of my mistakes." I chatted happily while Tohru took out her materials.
"Was it the last word problem on the math homework?" She asked, spreading her assignments out on her desk.
"Yeah that's the one. Did you have trouble with it too?" I leaned over to look at her paper as she pulled out the math worksheet.
"I had to redo it multiple times because I kept doing the equation wrong. I'd forget to subtract 4 on both sides! It was probably because I was tired." She explained.
I listened to her while I compared our worksheets.
"Well we have all the same answers so either we're both wrong or we're both right," I said handing her paper back.
"Well let's hope we're both right," Tohru straightened the papers and placed them on her desk. "We have to keep our grades up to be allowed on the school trip," Tohru reminded me, straightening back up in her chair.
"Girl, that trip is still months away! One worksheet isn't going to ruin it now," I scoffed with a slight laugh.
"Yeah but it'll help if I do badly on another assignment. We can't afford to let our grades slip," Tohru said quietly. Her somber tone killed any lightheartedness we had going.
I was about to say something when I picked up a strange presence - it felt like it was both pulling and pushing me away equally. There's only one person who I had ever met that exudes this type of presence, Yuki Sohma.
He's here.
The feminine squeals echoing in the halls confirm my assumption.
"Sounds like Yuki-San is here," I told Tohru with a roll of my eyes. The girls exited voices getting louder as Yuki's presence moved through the hallway towards our classroom.
"How do you know that he's here?" Tohru looked surprised. "Don't tell me, you memorized his schedule because you're one of his admirers?"
"What? No! I just heard some of the girls in the hall squeal so I assume it's him. That's the only reason they would be so noisy in the morning. Can't you hear them Tohru?" I watched her closely as she cocked her head to the side and listened. I was worried I messed up and made her suspicious. Maybe they're too far away for her to hear. I shouldn't have said anything. I mentally kicked myself.
What is up with me today?
"You've always had better hearing than me. I can't believe you picked up on that, it's super faint." Tohru finally said and I let out a breath.
"You do space out a lot so one of us has to pay attention," I covered hoping she would chalk it up to that. Tohru cannot - must not -know my secret at any cost; it would be disastrous.
"Hey Liisa, do you think Uo-Chan and Hana-Chan are here yet?" She asked as I heard footsteps in the hall outside our classroom.
I checked my watch and we have still 20 minutes before school starts. "Probably not. They usually arrive just before class begins, so we'll likely wait until lunch time to talk to them." I suggested as the classroom door opened. A group of students filed into the class chatting happily; they sat in their seats on the other side of the room by the windows. Their voices beat on my ear drums incessantly.
"Did you hear what that Yuki fan-club member said to me?" One of the girls of the group said.
Oh God help me, I don't want to hear this.
Why do I have to be cursed with this? I rubbed my temples again trying to ease the headache that had formed.
I focused on blocking out the girls' voices as more students started pouring into the classroom, I spotted Uo among them. She approaches our desks after spotting us.
"Hey, you two how are you doing today?" She asked as she sat down at the empty desk in front of me. Uo is one of my best friends. She comes off as tough with her long blond hair covering one of her eyes and how she talks, but she's really caring and nice.
"You know, the usual," I say blandly with a shrug. I deflected any other questions by asking, "What about you guys?"
"Well my dad was being irritating as usual so I left early and got breakfast at a convenience store," Uo told us, getting a little huffy. "What about you Tohru? How's your grandpa doing?" We both turned to look at her, who suddenly got a little fidgety.
"He's doing well. He told me this morning that his daughter and her family are coming to stay with us for a while, so that'll be interesting. I haven't seen them since I was 5." Tohru explained.
"Well that sounds like fun, must be nice to be surrounded by family," I sighed then immediately realized my mistake. Tohru and Uo were staring at me with confused looks on their faces.
"Liisa, what are you talking about? I knew you said things were a little tense at home but it was fine," Tohru asked, sounding confused. Crap, I told them I'm living in my family's main house. I can't tell them that I am living in a tent in the woods.
"Well you see…" I trailed off thinking quickly "You already know that my family never really accepted my mother because of the person she married." I started again deciding to tell something close to the truth. I still shifted uncomfortably in my seat at having to tell yet another lie to my friends. I justified the lie by telling myself that it's better this way.
"Yeah we know that already and they were right not to trust him because he left your mother right after you were born. But I thought that they let you stay with them anyway," Uo states, matter-of-factly a glint in her eye. She always gets fired up when my father is mentioned because she looked up to both of Tohru's and my mother's since we got to know her in elementary school.
"Well...that wasn't the case. With my mother gone, no one in the family wanted to take me in so the Head of Household gave me a room separate from everyone in the Main House." I lied.
I do have a room at the main house but I never want to set foot in there again.
Tohru and Uo were silent and I worried there might be a contradiction in my lie. I mean, no one in the main house talks to me so that's still true; I tried to comfort myself in their silence. "I just didn't want to worry you guys. You already have problems without me further burdening you." I added quickly as if I needed to justify my reasons.
Uo spoke first, "Oh Liisa, you can always tell us about your problems, that's what friends are for! We all share our problems together so they aren't as frightening or hard to bear!" she exclaimed, hugging me around the shoulders, much to my surprise. I felt my stomach squirm in discomfort- if only I COULD tell you all my everything.
"Well, that would explain why you have been working extra-long hours at your job right? Because we used to get off at the same time but now you stay later than I do." Tohru said finally. I sighed out in relief because she didn't seem to be mad at me.
"Yeah, I don't have anyone to talk to at home so I work longer hours to have extra money after paying for the school trip too." I responded a little embarrassed. In reality, it's so I can afford to eat.
"I would hang out with you, but I have to work most days and finish my homework. And I'd help my grandpa with housework on my off days. I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of him, ya 'know?" Tohru says.
I glanced at the clock to note we still have 10 minutes before class begins.
"That's ok, it's the thought that counts," I said to her, feeling touched. "Hey Uo, did you do last night's homework?" I had a feeling what the answer would be and the look on her face confirmed it.
"There was homework?" She responded with a depressed look on her face.
I couldn't help but laugh. "You really are hopeless. Do you want to copy mine really quick before the teacher comes?" I pushed my homework towards her but she shook her head.
"No I should deal with the consequences of my own actions myself." she responded trying to look noble. I was just pulling my homework back towards me when the teacher came into the classroom. Uo moved to her own seat at the back of the class. Hana came into the classroom a minute before the bell rang and said a quick hello to Tohru and I before taking her seat.
The rest of the school day went by in a rush. It's only been a few weeks since the school year began and our teachers are giving us lots of homework.
Oh joy.
AFTER SCHOOL
After the last bell rang, I was heading out of the school gates with Uo, Hana, and Tohru. I was exhausted and glad that today was one of my few days off from work. I was looking forward to getting some food and spending time resting in my tent before having to do my homework. I said goodbye to the others and started my walk in the direction where my tent is set up. I took my time going home, stopping at a convenience store to pick up dinner with the coupons I got from the weekly ad they have.
I was almost to the woods where my tent is when I felt certain that someone was following me.
I thought I was imagining it with all the bustle from the streets, but now that I'm on a quiet road I could distinctly hear the footsteps of someone following me. I looked around and didn't see anyone. No one was around, I thought it would be fine to use my sensitive hearing to listen for whoever is following me. I stood still, eyes closed to help me focus.
As I focused I could hear someone's breathing coming from behind some garbage cans behind me. It's muffled like they covered their mouth to quiet their breathing. I opened my eyes and followed the sound over to the garbage cans in question. I felt my fear rising as I got closer. I was scared that the person was someone from my main house. I wouldn't put it past the Head of House to have someone tail me.
I take a peek behind the garbage bins and gasp in shock. "Tohru? What are you doing back there?" I asked moving a bin aside so she could get up.
"Well, I went to my work to pick up my paycheck and I saw you walking on the other side of the street as I was leaving. You told us where your main house is once and you were heading in the wrong direction. I wanted to know what you were up to so I followed," Tohru explained while fidgeting with the bottom of her school blazer. I felt my stomach clench with apprehension.
This isn't good.
"Oh yeah, there is a shortcut through the woods here. I had some coupons for a convenience store around here so I thought I would grab some food on my way home," I lied hoping she would believe me. Of all my friends, Tohru is the best at telling when I'm lying. She was giving me a scrutinizing gaze.
"Liisa, is something going on? You've been acting weird since the accident," Tohru finally said and I started sweating. Uh-oh, she's suspicious.
"Yeah! I'm doing fine! There's nothing going on I can't handle!" I said too quickly. Tohru's eyes narrowed knowing something is definitely up.
"Right, well let me accompany you home. It'll be like old times when we would walk home together," She suggested starting to walk towards the woods.
"WHAT? I mean- no you don't have to! I can go by myself. I don't want to trouble you," I corrected myself as I ran to catch up with Tohru.
"It's not a problem for me. I don't have work today and grandpa is at a doctor's appointment so I'm in no hurry to get home," she said as we entered the shade of the trees.
Now I'm in full panic mode. I can't take her to my tent and I can't take her to the Main House. If I do, then the staff at the House will likely tell her the truth. But if I tell her I'm living in a tent in the woods, then she'll be more concerned. Either way, I'm screwed!
I might as well tell her the truth.
"Um, Tohru? I have something to tell you. You would find out either way at this point anyway," I started to say, my eyes turned to the ground. I heard her footsteps stop and turn to me.
"What is it Liisa? Are you not allowed to have guests?" Tohru asked a hint of concern in her voice.
"No, it's not that. It's really hard to say this, but I'm not living with my family in the main house. I never even went there after mom passed away," I started as my eyes started to fill with tears. Now that I've begun I couldn't stop the words from flowing out even if I wanted to.
"I didn't want you guys to worry about me so I lied and said that I lived with them but the truth is, I've been living in a tent in these woods." I kept my eyes down-cast my cheeks reddening.
Why was this so embarrassing? It's only Tohru, my best friend who is very understanding. There was silence for a moment and I didn't want to look up at Tohru. A couple of tears fell from my eyes into the dust at my feet.
"Oh Liisa! I wish you had told me sooner so I could have helped you. You don't have to do this alone. This may be sudden but since you have been honest with me, can I confess something to you also?" I looked up to see Tohru blush, catching me by surprise. I wiped the tears out of my eyes nodding silently as Tohru continued. "Well my grandpa lives in a small house so to make space for his daughter and her family he is going to renovate his home." She paused and looked me in the eye. "I am going to need somewhere to stay for a few months. I didn't want to burden any of my friends and I think that it's hard that you're living on your own like you are…" She trailed off.
"Are you trying to say that you want to come and live with me?" I stared at her in disbelief as she nodded.
"Yes, I would like to if you don't mind me staying with you," Tohru said, sounding embarrassed. "I could find somewhere else."
"No, Tohru it's fine I hope that you don't mind roughing it and I MEAN ROUGHING it" I warned her. There's a brief moment of stillness between us. I see a determined look come into Tohru's eyes. I take that as a confirmation.
"Um," I nervously began, "I could show you where I've been living?"
She giggles softly, "Sure!"
I return her smile and lead her down the main road.
"I set up my tent away from the main path so no one can see it. I also covered my tent with branches and leaves so it's less noticeable." I inform her as we veer off the road onto the dirt path leading through the bushes. I can hear Tohru's footsteps shuffle behind me.
"I see," Tohru said as I held a branch aside for her.
We walked on the dirt trail for a while until we came across a tree with low sweeping branches. I pitched my tent under the branches so it would be more sheltered.
"Welp it's not much but this is my home for now," I told Tohru standing next to the entrance.
"Wow, this is a nice little spot!" She exclaimed, ducking under the outer branches of the tree. The branches fanned out and made a nice clearing around my tent and it stayed cool even as the days grew hotter.
"Soooooo…. Do you think it'll be ok?" I asked her trying not to get my hopes up as I waited for her answer.
"I think that I'll be fine. I'll move in with you in a couple weeks." She informed me. I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face. I felt lighter than I have in over a month.
"You don't know how good it feels to finally have told someone about this! Do you want to come in?" I asked her, bending down to open the zipper.
"Sure, excuse the intrusion," She said as she stepped forward. We both took our shoes off before entering. I went in first and sat on my sleeping bag making a space for Tohru to sit.
"Sorry for the mess, I didn't know I would have company today," I gave a nervous laugh as Tohru looked around.
"No it's fine Liisa, I basically forced you into bringing me here," She said, setting her bag down. We sat and talked for a while and even did our homework together for a bit just like we did before the accident. After a while, Tohru had to go and I offered to walk her to the edge of the forest. As we walked and talked about what we could do to make the most of the space in my tent.
We stopped at the edge of the forest and I gave her a goodbye hug.
"That was one of the best afternoons I've had in a while." I admit when we let go.
"Me too! It felt the same as when we lived together with our moms," Tohru said, voicing what I had been thinking all afternoon.
"Yeah, I really miss those times." I wistfully agree, "But we can get through this together. Oh, and one more thing, promise not to tell Uo and Hana. I don't want them to know yet. You know how they can get," I told Tohru. She stares at me in silence for a long moment.
"It isn't my place to tell them, but you better tell them sooner rather than later," She said, starting to walk away.
"I know, and I will!" I called after her. I watched her until she disappeared around a corner then headed back into the woods.
A FEW WEEKS LATER
"Welcome Tohru to my humble tent!" I gesture my arms in a mock grand sweeping motion, "It's not much but it's home," I rearranged the place to give Tohru half the space for her things.
"Wow, You really did condense your things down," Tohru said as she put her bag inside, pausing to leave her shoes by the entrance.
"Yep! I got a few small boxes and stacked them like you suggested for makeshift shelves. I did one for you too." I pointed to the empty boxes on her side of the tent. "Do you like it?" I nervously waited for her answer.
"I love it! You didn't have to go through all this trouble for me though," Tohru said, starting to take her school books out of her back pack.
"It was no trouble at all! My job was going to recycle the boxes anyway. I'll leave you to unpack. I'm going to go to the stream to wash my face," I told her crawling out of the tent with a washcloth. The stream was not that far from the tent but as I walked away, I couldn't help a backwards glance at the tent.
I do hope Tohru likes it here.
As I was at the stream, a few of the wild dogs that live in this forest approached me. This is also part of my big secret that no one knows about: I can talk to a variety of animals, dogs being one of them. I met and made friends with these dogs during my first week in the woods. They come and talk to me here at the stream. They love to joke and don't quite understand human customs.
I need to have unbroken eye contact with them to communicate non-verbally. I lock eyes with the female alpha of the pack.
Nothing out of the ordinary to report. The leader communicated. The others sniff around in the bushes lining the stream.
Thank you, that's good to hear. As I told you, starting today I'm going to have another human living with me. Don't show yourselves when I'm with her yet, she doesn't know you mean her no harm. I spoke to the lead dog and she bowed her head. At least they understand that.
I will inform the rest of the pack. Then I saw a devilish look appear in her eyes.
Here we go again.
We won't interfere with you and your mate. The alpha took off with a playful wag of her tail, the rest of the pack following her, knowing I would give chase. I ran after them a little ways downstream.
"How many times do I have to tell you, she is just a friend! You guys are so difficult sometimes do you know that." I say out loud after them.
They easily outpace me and run off, barking with laughter. Ever since Tohru visited my tent a few weeks ago they have been calling her my mate. Their dog logic says that the only time you bring an outsider to your den is to have them be your mate. I've tried explaining to them that humans don't follow dog customs.
They still tease me about it.
I returned back to the stream and finished wetting my washcloth to wipe off my face soap. I snorted as I thought of some choice words to tell those dogs when I saw them next.
When I got back from the stream Tohru had finished unpacking, granted there wasn't really that MUCH to unpack, but she looked settled into her share of the tent. "How are you settling in?" I asked when I saw her holding a framed picture of her mom. "Oh you have your mom with you?"
"Oh sorry if you don't like it I'll put it away," Tohru apologized trying to put the picture out of sight.
"No, Tohru it's fine" I reassured her then blushed lightly "It means you miss her right? And that you love her. I carry a picture of my mom with me everywhere." I showed her the small photo I keep in my wallet. "I thought it would be weird, but I also usually keep a picture of her right here." I slid my mom's framed photo out of my shelves and put it on an overturned box I use as a night stand. "If you want we can put their pictures next to each other." I suggested. Tohru's face broke into a wide smile.
"That would be great!" She set her mother's photo next to my mother's photo. I decided to tell Tohru since it's something I usually did now that I live here.
"This will probably sound weird but I talk to her sometimes." I confessed, looking away with a blush, waiting for her to say something. I looked up at her when she spoke in a relieved tone.
"You do that too? I thought I was the only one who does that."
"I thought I was the only one too!" We laughed together. We sat there smiling at each other like idiots for a moment until I saw how dark it had gotten.
"Ah, it's getting late so I'm going to go to sleep, if you'll excuse me" I told her as I got into my sleeping bag. I heard Tohru get into her sleeping bag as well.
"Goodnight Tohru" I added sleepily turning out a little lamp I use for light. I heard a quiet 'goodnight Liisa' then I was asleep.
ONE WEEK LATER
"Tohru hurry up or we'll be late!" I yelled into the tent at Tohru who was taking FOREVER to get ready.
"I'm coming, no need to yell" Tohru soothed as she crawled out of our tent. "Bye mom watch over the tent while we're gone" Tohru called over her shoulder as we hurried away from the tent. We took an animal trail that we found; it stretches into a wide arc through the trees; away from the direction our school is which takes longer, but it's better than shifting through the bushes. We come out onto the main path that cuts through the forest towards our school.
This week has been a hard one. Since there is one more person living in the tent, we need more money for food and other personal items. So Tohru and I decided to put in more hours at our part-time jobs.
This is going to be the end of me. I thought when suddenly I bumped into Tohru.
"Hey, give a warning next time you stop in the middle of the road." I told her then I saw that she was staring at something on the side of the road.
"What are you looking at?" I followed her gaze and spotted a house through a gap in the trees. My jaw dropped. I've been living here for a little over 2 months and Tohru finds a house in a week! "Well we can't stop and chat or we'll be late for school." I grabbed her hand and pulled her along. I'm certain there weren't any houses in these woods. They must be very quiet otherwise I would've heard them by now.
"I wonder who lives in the house" Tohru asked absentmindedly as she walked along behind me. I knew where she was taking this and I tried to head her off.
"Probably an old lady who wants to be left alone. Why else would anyone live way out here in the middle of the woods?" I shrugged as we approached the school gates.
"Maybe we should pay her a visit and make sure that it's ok to live in her woods. Or maybe she's lonely and we could cheer her up!" Tohru suggested cheerfully.
Dear Lord, Tohru is determined to talk to this person.
We arrived at school and made our way to our classroom. I really didn't want to go, secluded houses in the woods are always the setting for horror films. I would like to live my life without being haunted by ghosts or hunted down by their killers thank you.
"Don't forget that we both have to work today" I reminded her gently.
"Right, and we both get off of work too late to be paying anyone a visit. Plus I don't have a day off this week" Tohru pointed out looking downcast. I guess we could go the next time we're on break. So I'm surprised when she looks over at me and asks. "Liisa didn't you say you have a day-off soon?"
"I have a day off in a few days. Why do you suddenly bring that up?" I inwardly panic, knowing exactly where this is going.
"Why don't you go and say hello to them? We're staying in their woods. Please go, for me?" she looked at me with her best puppy dog eyes that she knows I can't say no to. I just know I'm going to regret this.
"Alright I'll go after school on my day off," I sigh feeling utterly defeated. "It's no fair you used your secret weapon."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. You just find it hard to say no." she teased. We arrived at our classroom; Tohru opened the door and we walked in.
"You will say hi for me, right?" She asked me.
"Of course I will, it was your idea in the first place" I laughed lightly as we walked to our desks. There were some other people already in the room, but it wasn't time for class to begin. I felt a prickle on the back of my neck - someone was looking at me. I turned around with my light blue eyes locking onto a pair of dark grey ones, staring intensely at me.
"Y-Yuki-san! How are you today?" I asked nervously. I notice that his eyes have a glossy look to them.
Why in the world is he staring at me?
"Mm … oh, Ito-san I am well and you?" Yuki replied politely, I flinched when he said my last name. I hate that name. It seems he noticed because he asked, "Did I say something offensive?" I looked anywhere but at him my cheeks turning pink as my embarrassment escalated.
"No! I mean no, and please just call me Liisa" I said in a rush out of embarrassment. I didn't realize that I was backing up until I bumped shoulders with someone.
"HEY! Watch it" he yelled as he turned around to face me. "O-oh it's you Liisa-san. Uh just, watch where you're going alright?" I saw the guy's face go red and I quickly turned to go.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to…" I apologized quietly. My face going beet red.
That could have ended badly.
Feeling emotionally drained, I quietly went to my seat. The teacher came in and started the lesson, but I didn't feel like listening and daydreamed the whole time. The rest of the day went without incident except that the 'Prince Yuki Fan Club' stopped me and asked why I was talking to him before class. But Uo and Hana came and bailed me out for which I was thankful.
THAT NIGHT IN THE TENT
"Hey, Liisa what were you talking about with Sohma-San today before class?" Tohru asked me while getting ready for bed.
"Well I saw him looking at me so I said good morning, but I think he was just either deep in thought or daydreaming" I explained to Tohru.
"Oh, I thought he said something bad to you because you started backing up," Tohru told me.
"I was backing up because I didn't want to get too close to him. Plus you know I'm not good with guys. Then I bumped into that other guy and it was a mess." I explain with a bodily shudder.
"Are you still afraid of guys?" Tohru asked.
"Yeah I still am I guess. I'm not sure if I'm going to get over it." I said to Tohru as I got into my sleeping bag. It's not really a fear of guys themselves, just WHAT HAPPENS when I get too close to them. I play it off as a fear of guys to Tohru and the others and they accept that.
"You may never know, but you have improved since I first met you." Tohru assured me.
"Well, I hope I haven't inconvenienced you in any way over the years," I asked Tohru really hoping that I didn't.
"No, no you didn't," Tohru assured me.
"Oh good! I was worried that I was holding you back," I said relieved. That's something I constantly worry about because I don't know if I AM burdening her and the others. I've wondered for a while if it was because of me always being around them. I've heard some of our male classmates like Tohru, but they don't approach her because she's always with her friends.
"Well then I'm going to sleep, goodnight" Tohru yawned as she lay down and closed her eyes.
"Alright Tohru, goodnight and see you in the morning." I mumbled sleepily back to her.
THE NEXT DAY
"Oh Liisa! I forgot to tell you something yesterday" Tohru blurted out on the way to school.
"What is it?" I asked her. What could it be? Are the renovations done already?
"I was walking home from my part time job yesterday when I saw Sohma-san and an older man walking in the opposite direction from me. I thought the older man might be his father. They kind of look alike" Tohru informs me. I look at her with an uncertain expression.
"Really? I don't think that Yuki-san ever speaks of his parents at school. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think he speaks to anyone at school unless it's for school work," I pointed out.
The Prince Yuki Fanclub mobs anyone who tries to talk to him otherwise.
"Now that you mention it, you're right." Tohru thought out loud. "A lot of girls confess to him but he always turns them down." Then I thought of something that happens whenever he is around. I figured it would be alright to tell her about it.
"You know what? Whenever I'm near him in class, he emits a strange presence. I can only describe it as a pushing and pulling feeling," I told her, inwardly hoping she can help with my situation.
"That's weird Hana-san was saying something like that in cooking class yesterday. But she has the electric pulse…" she trailed off, a light blush appeared on her cheeks. "Could you possibly like him?"
"What! Why would… how could you come to that conclusion?" I asked Tohru stopping and taking a step away from her. "You know that I'm not good with guys! Why would I have a crush on one? Besides I've never spoken to him until yesterday!" I walk away, forcing her to catch with me. She didn't bring the subject up again and we walked in silence until we arrived to the school gates. I really wanted to know her logic behind that conclusion and I couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Tohru what do you mean by that? Where is your proof?" I really couldn't figure out how Tohru's brain works sometimes.
"I thought you liked him because people who belong with each other can feel each other's presence, or at least that's what my mom told me when I was little" Tohru explained to me as we walked down the hall to our classroom.
"You're forgetting about the part where they're already in love with each other. She told me about that too, remember?" I told Tohru, wishing I hadn't said anything in the first place, as we arrived to our classroom door. I held it open for her, we entered and I sat at my desk.
"Oh yeah I'm going to that house today," I changed the subject to get away from my mistake.
"That's right! I wish I could go with you" Tohru said cheerfully. A bunch of people walked in and the teacher followed them. "Looks like it's time for class. I'll talk to you later, Liisa" Tohru said as the teacher greeted the class.
AFTER SCHOOL
I walked down the path to the house; my palms were sweaty and I was beginning to doubt that the house belonged to an old lady. I looked at the house as I approached - I hate making house calls like this. You never know what the stranger on the other side of the door is going to be like.
What if it's a man that lives here? I tried not to think about that.
I walked up to the door and rang the bell. I have to do this for Tohru, I reminded myself. If I don't, then there might be an issue later on if Tohru decides to visit this person herself. I waited for a couple of minutes, using my sensitive hearing to listen for any noise inside. When I heard nothing, I assumed that no one was home. I took a few steps away from the house when my ears picked up a subtle noise - I stopped and faced the door once more with dread.
I was so close to freedom too.
As I waited, I felt a familiar sensation of pulling and pushing like when I'm around Yuki. However, this one is more of a pull than a push. I froze in place and I can clearly hear someone talking to themselves.
Is that a man's voice?
"I wonder who could be knocking at my door all the way out here?" The person opened up the door and there standing before me was a grey haired man, wearing a pair of reading glasses with a robe over a shirt and a pair of shorts. He could not have been older than 30. He was leaned against the door jamb with a curious gaze aimed at me.